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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a joyful day of music, dancing, food and community fun for the whole family. Photo: iStock
Moms, ‘tis the month for your family to celebrate you, so let the pampering begin! And, for the rest of the month you’re looking for ideas to keep the crew busy, we’ve got you covered. Think live shows, fair fun, train rides, free comics, cultural fests and more. Enjoy the springtime bonanza of fun happening out there.
1. Deepen your appreciation for our beautiful Pacific Northwest by celebrating the blooms and greenery that are uniquely ours — from fawn lilies to pink salmonberry blossoms — at Oxbow Farm’s Spring Native Plant Festival. There, you and your family will find native plant-focused workshops, guided walks, crafts and more, Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free; workshop add-ons $5.
2. Refresh your home library by heading out to a local shop to score a free comic book! This year, 24 titles are included in this enticing giveaway which happens annually on Free Comic Book Day. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 2 and get the entire crew reading.
3. May is full of cultural delights as Seattle Center packs in three Festál events this month in its series celebrating our collective heritages. Turn up for an Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration May 2, get a Glimpse of China, Saturday, May 9 and finally, experience the Spirit of Africa through traditional and modern music and dance on Saturday, May 16.
4. Railroad fans, get on board and make the drive to scenic Skykomish to enjoy unlimited free rides on scale mini trains. Saturday, May 2 is the first day of the season for Great Northern & Cascade Railway as they welcome enthusiasts of all ages. Trains continue to run on Saturdays through October.
5. Treat all the mom figures in your life to Seattle’s sweetest water tour — back for another season. Hop aboard the Ice Cream Cruise at Fisherman’s Terminal and take an informative tour of Lake Union sights while savoring a cool ice cream treat. The 45-minute tours start Sunday, May 3 and continue weekly through September (including Mother’s Day, May 10) . Fares $16–$24.
6. It’s a fiesta for the whole family! Gather with the community to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Downtown Redmond Park on Sunday, May 3. The day will be packed with traditional Mexican culture including lively music, dancing and lots of delicious food from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free; food for purchase.
7. Don’t be late for this very important date! International Ballet Theatre presents “Alice In Wonderland,” a dance theater performance created especially for younger audiences based on Lewis Carroll’s beloved story. Come along for an enchanting journey at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Saturday–Sunday, May 9–10; tickets $35–$45.
8. Our ParentEd Talk series welcomes Better Screen Time founder Andrea Davis to share her strategies on resetting your family’s tech use and rebuilding connection. Register and join us Tuesday, May 12, at noon, or receive the recording to watch anytime. $10 per talk or $50 for the entire eight-talk series. Members of partner schools join for free.
9. Let your kids play to their hearts’ content all weekend at the Lacey Spring Fun Fair, happening Saturday–Sunday, May 16–17. This kid paradise features free rides, inflatables, live entertainment, circus train, pony rides, STEAM fair and a car show on Sunday at St. Martin’s University.
10. On extra-low-tide days, head to local beaches to inspect all kinds of marine critters who normally live under cover of seawater. Touch gently and learn more about what you see from Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists. Programs take place along six Seattle beaches from Shoreline to Des Moines, May 17 and 19. Free. Additional dates through July 12.
11. Head to the heart of Ballard for marching bands, elementary kids on unicycles, Scandinavian organizations and the whole neighborhood together for the 17th of May Parade back again on Sunday, May 17. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and runs along Northwest Market Street. Hipp Hipp Hurra!
12.The iconic Northwest Folklife Festival has been a Memorial Day weekend tradition going back more than 50 years for our community. The theme this year is “Ubuntu,” or “belonging.” You’ll feel that sense of belonging at this free family-friendly festival as you partake in amazing performances, cultural traditions, ideas and people-watching at the Seattle Center, Friday–Monday, May 22–25.
13. Kitsap Forest Theatre invites families to enjoy a unique and kid-friendly theater experience — outdoors! Hear your favorite songs amid towering trees and fresh air at this season’s opener, the much-loved musical, Disney’s “Frozen.” Weekend performances take place May 24–June 14 in Bremerton. Tickets $12–$30; ages 5 and younger free.
14. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, honor local service members who have passed on as well as veterans and active military in Arlington’s annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and runs along North Olympic Avenue.
15. Honk! if you love marching bands, drum lines and street bands — playing for free in three Seattle locales. Join the festivities on Friday, May 29, 6–10 p.m. in the Georgetown neighborhood; Saturday, May 30, noon–8 p.m. at Columbia Park; or Sunday, May 31, noon–6 p.m. at Pratt Park.
Highlighted events for May 2026May 2 | Saturday May 12 | Tuesday May 24–June 14 |
Editor’s note: This article is updated every month by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara, with her favorite new family activities in and around Seattle. It was most recently updated on April 28, 2026, with all new May 2026 events. All event dates, times and locations were cross-checked and verified by our editor. Be sure to come back next month for more ideas!
